A global bibliometric and visualized analysis of the status and trends of lung metastasis in breast cancer research from 2000 to 2024

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with lung metastasis presenting critical barriers to effective treatment and patient survival. This study conducts the first comprehensive bibliometric and visualized analysis of lung metastasis research in breast cancer from 2000 to 2024, illustrating evolving research trends and collaboration patterns in this critical area. Utilizing data from the Web of Science Core Collection, we employed bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace to assess publication trends, international collaborations, influential institutions, authors, and keyword dynamics. Our findings reveal a steady increase in annual publications, peaking in 2021, with a significant concentration of research emerging from the USA and China, alongside key insights into molecular mechanisms such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition and immunotherapy. Notably, genes like ERBB2 and ESR1 were identified as pivotal in the metastatic process, highlighting potential therapeutic targets. This study not only illuminates the current landscape of breast cancer lung metastasis research but also underscores the necessity for interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance understanding and treatment strategies for this lethal condition.